Perfume Bottle Item Number: 3553/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Triangular prism-like silver perfume bottle; stopper is missing. Long cylindrical neck extends from top, with a protruding lip; two curved handles, with looped ends, extend from either side of bottle. Bottle has a triangular top, flat back, and its front two sides curve outward at centre; bottom of bottle rounds to a point. Front two sides have curvilinear and vine-like motifs incised across surface; background covered with dots. Two raised circles in middle of designs, filled with a red mineral(?). Back of perfume bottle has three connected concentric circles, and a large floral motif incised in the middle. All sides of bottle have plain borders around edges. Large ring attached to left handle; additional loop clasp on left shoulder of perfume bottle.

Narrative

The donor's parents lived in Saudi Arabia from 1982-1992, while her father was working there. The items (3553/1-4) are thought to have been purchased at one of the local markets, possibly in the old town of Yanbu, as they were living in the new town of Yanbu at the time; or possibly in Riyadh.